That's How We Necromancers Do Things

Chapter 156: Chapter 98: Pale Elegy

Staring at the strange-smelling sack at her feet, then looking up at the "sincere gratitude" plastered all over Lynch’s face, she felt a wave of fury wash over her. She wanted nothing more than to lunge forward and tear the bastard apart with her teeth.

But she couldn’t. She couldn’t even show too much anger, because that damn crystal ball was still recording.

She could only grit her teeth and force her face into a blank mask.

"Senior..." Lynch prompted quietly. "It’s time for your lines..."

Catherine’s chest heaved for a moment. She closed her eyes, trying to compose herself.

When she opened them again, her face was stone-cold as she forced the words out through gritted teeth. "Thank... you... Junior."

"Don’t mention it! It was my pleasure!" Lynch immediately shot back, his smile growing even brighter as he put on a look of profound righteousness. "We’re fellow alumni, you know. When you’re away from home, it’s only right that we support each other. You help me, I help you—that’s how we all get better together."

Catherine’s face was a rigid mask.

She couldn’t bear to say another word to Lynch. Every second she remained here was sheer torture for her mind and body.

Her voice held a pleading tone. "Junior Lynch, can... can we go now?"

"Go? Of course you can! Be my guest, Senior!" Lynch made a grand "after you" gesture, his voice overflowing with enthusiasm. "Since you’re so busy with official duties, this junior won’t delay you any further. My apologies for the poor hospitality. Do come and visit again when you have the time! Lakefront Town will always welcome you!"

「Suddenly.」

Lynch’s gaze swept past her to the men behind her. His brow furrowed as he pointed at the soldiers carrying the banners, their lips purple with cold. "Hey, you two! Look sharp and hold those banners straight! You’re the elites of the Radiant Battle Group, representatives of the Empire’s military might!"

The two soldiers scrambled to straighten the banners.

「Soon.」

Under Lynch’s personal, "enthusiastic send-off," Catherine and her soldiers—stripped of everything but their loincloths and two banners—began their journey home, their hearts filled with humiliation and simmering rage.

On arrival, they had been a picture of military perfection: immaculate in their shining Armor, mounted on powerful warhorses, their morale sky-high and their presence awe-inspiring.

On departure, they were in rags: empty-handed, stumbling, and utterly dejected, the very image of defeat.

The moment they were out of sight of the Lakefront Town crowd, the standard-bearers hastily rolled up the banners and stuffed them into the burlap sack meant for clothes.

They had no choice. In their current state, the banners were just too damn conspicuous.

They had already lost face; there was no need to advertise to the world exactly which battalion and company they belonged to.

Like a routed army, the group scurried away toward their main camp, heads down, desperate to flee the godforsaken place that had been seared into their memories forever.

Watching Catherine’s party disappear down the road, Lynch turned back toward town.

The moment he returned, thunderous cheers erupted from all around.

"Long live Lord Lynch!"

"Our Commander is mighty!"

"Serves them right! It’s about time those damn bloodsucking officers got what they deserved."

The townsfolk poured out from every corner, their faces glowing with feverish excitement and the pure joy of vindication.

They looked at Lynch with a newfound respect and trust that came from the heart, a look that was even tinged with fanaticism and adoration.

If loyalty data were displayed above the townsfolks’ heads, their "Loyalty" stats would undoubtedly be flashing with a frantic "+1," "+1," "+1." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

At this moment, even the Undead, creatures the townsfolk had once feared, now seemed friendly and agreeable in their eyes.

These Undead only obeyed Lord Lynch. They didn’t steal their food or press-gang them into service. They even helped fight the Fishmen and protect the town. They were so much better than those military lords.

"All right, all right, break it up!" Lynch waved his hand impatiently. "Get back to whatever you were doing. Stop crowding around. Aus, take some men and inventory the new equipment. Get it into storage and arrange food and lodging for our new ’instructors.’ Old John, organize the women to get the fires going. We’re adding an extra course to dinner tonight—we’ve got meat."

Despite his harsh and typically impatient tone, the townsfolk only grew more excited. They cheered in agreement and scattered, each hurrying off to their own tasks.

In an instant, it was as if a new vitality had been injected into all of Lakefront Town. Every face was filled with hope and brimming with motivation.

Watching the town quickly return to a bustling, vibrant state, Lynch stood at the entrance to the garrison post, feeling a wave of emotion.

’All I did was a small thing, really. Defeated one invading unit, got my hands on some equipment, and now these simple townsfolk are treating me like a savior.’

"Tch... this goddamn world," he sighed softly, shaking his head in resignation.

As a Transmigrator, he had grown up in a prosperous and stable society. He was a psychologically sound, normal person with a basic moral compass and a sense of compassion.

Since a strange twist of fate had landed him in the seat of "Governor of Lakefront Town," he was determined to do the job right.

However, he also possessed the ambition every man ought to have. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

Building a foundation, accumulating prestige and power—this was the bedrock upon which he would build his life and ensure his survival.

Just then, Aus, who had been busy for some time, emerged from the garrison storeroom and came face-to-face with Lynch.

"My lord."

Suddenly, he gave Lynch a deep bow. "I’m sorry."

"What are you sorry for?" Lynch asked, puzzled. "Don’t tell me you bungled the job, did you?"

"No, no, not at all! Those minor tasks were easy to handle." Aus quickly waved his hands, his face flushed with shame. "The truth is... after you rescued me, I cursed you almost every single night because of that unfair protection treaty we signed."